|| Prayers for Oklahoma USA ||

The death toll has climbed to 51, including 20 children, after a massive two-mile-wide tornado flattened homes and started fires in the Oklahoma City area on Monday afternoon. Seven children drowned at Plaza Towers Elementary School, where the tornado tore the roof off the school building. It was not clear how many children were missing. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade were evacuated to a church, but students in lower grades were sheltered in place, KFOR reported. Authorities say the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue through the night with crews frantically searching for survivors. At one hospital, 85 patients, including 65 children, were being treated for injuries that ranged from minor to critical. Forecasters said the tornado, with winds topping 200 mph, could be an EF4, the second-strongest category. The tornado struck mid-afternoon and tore a 20-mile path during its 40 minutes on the ground. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area. The Red Cross said it was opening a shelter, and the University of Oklahoma opened some of its housing for displaced families.

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